Syd Smith of Gulfport recently became one of about 300 Master Casting Instructors and the only Mississippian to achieve it.

Written by

Brian Albert Broom
bbroom@clarionledger.com

When Syd Smith of Gulfport started fishing for bream with a flyrod as a kid, he had no idea he would one day be among the most elite of fly casters.

Smith said he grew up in Jackson where his fly fishing began when he was just a boy. He continued to fly fish in fresh water until he landed in Gulfport and decided to take on larger quarry. "I didn't realize the rods had made such advances that they could catch redfish and specks and bigger fish," said Smith.

Though the equipment had made advances, Smith's casting skills had not. "There wasn't anybody around to teach me how to make good long casts," said Smith. ...